Monthly Archives: September 2011

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The City of Austin Cultural Arts Division recently announced its funding allocations for the 2012 fiscal year. KLRU was awarded $9,000 to support the creation of new Arts In Context specials.This represents an increase in funding from the first year of our contract, which granted our station $3,862.

ArtsIn Context is an original KLRU production which reflects the creative culture in our local community and explores the people and things which make our lives more interesting — from the biggest bands to the unsung heroes, from the celebrated auteur to the starving artist. Shot in high-definition and edited to present the same kind of quality you have come to expect from PBS national productions, ArtsIn Context fosters new creativity and talent as a vibrant representation of the performing arts in Austin.

This initiative is a “win” four times over: KLRU succeeds in fulfilling its mission to bring the magic of local arts productions to viewers; Austin-based arts organizations that partner with us gain exposure and build name-recognition; Austin’s reputation for thriving, creative culture is strengthened; and affiliate PBS stations gain access to new content.

We are thrilled to continue partnering with the City in this endeavor — thank you!

This summer, we brought Vme to Austin in an effort to provide rich content and Spanish programming for Hispanics in Central Texas. Now, join KLRU and Vme as we celebrate Latinos’ contributions to American culture during Hispanic Heritage Month at Barton Creek Square Mall.

Enjoy a preview of Vme programming throughout the week and special festivities planned on select weekends beginning Saturday, Sept. 24, through Oct.15. Children and their families are invited to participate in several fun activities, including taking part in arts-and-crafts, learning new songs, meeting popular PBS characters, and joining in on puppet shows, face painting and balloon sculptures.

Schedule of Events

September 24th • 12:30pm-3:30pm

Join Vme and Mexic-Arte in creating Papel Picado, a traditional form of Mexican folk art that children can create and bring home.

September 25th • 1:00pm-2:30pm

Sing and learn Spanish words and songs through “Aprende Cantando” a 45-minute music class hosted by Heartsong Music. Two sessions will be available starting at 1:00pm and 1:45pm.

October 8th • 11:00am-3:00pm

Meet and greet the popular PBS characters Maya and Miguel.

October 15th • 12:00pm-2:00pm

Enjoy a bilingual puppet show, balloon sculpturing & more with Fonzie the Clown.

* All activities will take place at the ground level of Barton Creek Square Mall by the Macy’s entrance.

Why is FDR on the guest list for a High Society Circus during the depths of the Depression? Find out the answer to this puzzle and more on History Detectives 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Since the Iraq war began, 18 Fort Carson soldiers have been charged with murder or manslaughter committed at home in America, and 36 have committed suicide. Frontline: The Wounded Platoon paints a poignant portrait of what happens when the horrors of war follow soldiers home 7 p.m. Tuesday.

POV: The Learning at 9 p.m. Tuesday tells the story of four Filipino women who leave their homes to teach in Baltimore. With higher salaries, the women hope to transform their families’ lives back home. But will the harsh realities of the Baltimore public school system shatter their dreams?

Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic symphony orchestra perform live from the Lincoln Center for the opening night of their 2011-2012 season with celebrated soprano Deborah Voigt 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Not In Our Town: Light In The Darkness at 9 p.m. Wednesday follows Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri as he leads a diverse group of residents to confront the anti-immigrant bias in their town and repair the fabric of their torn community.

Evan Smith chats with Julian Bond, a civil rights advocate whose history of activism stretches back to 1960, when he began leading sit-ins in Atlanta, 7 p.m. Thursday.

Known for its mysterious lights, colorful characters and tourism, Marfa, Texas, is fast becoming a thriving creative community. Arts in Context: The Light And The Land at 8 p.m. Thursday explores what made this far-west Texas town the desert destination it is today.

On this episode of The Austin Daytripper, Chet travels to Luling, Texas to sample some of Texas’s best Bar-B-Q and watermelon. Then, Chet visits Shiner’s famous brewery to wash it all down 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Placido Domingo, one of the most celebrated tenors of his generation, looks back and reflects on his favorite roles from opera houses around the world on Great Performances: Placido Domingo: My Favorite Roles 8 p.m. Friday.

Meet some dear plants that survive in deer country on Central Texas Gardener at noon Saturday. On tour, a drought-tough garden got its cue from historic Italy.

Runners, it’s time again to pull out those magical capes, strap on those evil-avenging masks, and double-knot those superhuman running shoes because KLRU is “calling all super readers” and superheroes to the CASA Superhero Run, because “every child needs a hero, but abused children need superheroes.”

KLRU is proud to sponsor this year’s Superhero Run, an annual event that raises money to help ensure that someday every child in Travis County who needs their own superhero will have one. Kids should also be on the lookout for Super Why and Princess Presto, two of the “Super Readers” from the PBS Kids series SuperWhy.

The event takes place on Sunday, September 25, at The Domain, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace and the day consists of a chip-timed 5K race, Kids 1K and numerous chances for participants to become their own superhero.

Participants are strongly encouraged to come dressed as their favorite superhero for a chance to win prizes like giftcards to Roque Equipment and Lucy’s in Disguise, or even their own Superhero Run cape!

Registration can be done on the day of the race or in advance at casatravis.org.

Nature: Clever Monkeys 7 pm on September 14th
Love, language, guilt, envy, generosity, secrets, lies and sophisticated society are not unique to humans. We share those complex traits with our relatives — the monkeys. Following along as the babies of two different species are reared, viewers learn how and what monkeys teach their young. Monkeys around the world rely on that knowledge to adapt to the remarkable variety of environments they now call home. Who are the cleverest monkeys? And how much of human experience do they really share?

PBS Newshour will show President Obama’s address on ways to spur job creation at 6 pm on Thursday. If the address and commentary last for more than one hour, KLRU will join the encore of Overheard with Evan Smith already in progress. This episode features Wendy Copp from Teach for America.

The rest of the evening will include:7:30 pm Arts in Context “15 Artists to Watch”
Emerging artists take the spotlight as part of AMOA¹s exhibition ³ New Art In Austin: 15 to Watch.² Arts In Context features the artist in this exhibit that are stretching the boundaries of contemporary art.

8:30 pm Austin Daytripper “Bastrop”
This episode Chet travels to Bastrop, Texas to conquer the mighty Colorado river, a mighty chicken fried steak, and Chet’s mighty beard. But, I hope you brought your pool stick, as there may be a brawl ahead.

Susan and Richard Marcus have just made a $3,500 contribution to KLRU. The funds will be used to partially match an “Arts on Radio and Television” NEA grant which was awarded earlier this year.

Through this project, KLRU will re-master and distribute 8 new episodes of our award-winning arts series, Arts In Context. Each half-hour program will utilize content from the best of these original segments. The final result will be the creation of a nationally broadcast series incorporating the highest production values to present a diverse and engaging selection of artists and their work.

KLRU is proud to showcase the inspiration of Central Texas creatives and share their vision with the greater American public.

September 8 at 6:30 pm @ The MoodyTickets onsale now. Get yours today
Post a comment between now and noon Wednesday, Sept. 7, for a chance to get two free tickets to this event.

The major events and challenges that will test America and the American President over the course of the next decade are many. Dr. George Friedman, CEO and founder of STRATFOR, takes geopolitical intelligence and forecasting to the next level and presents ideas from his most recent book The New York Times bestseller “The Next Decade: Where We’ve Been … and Where We’re Going,”

In this bestseller, Friedman discusses how he sees the need to rebalance America, and suggests a combination of foreign policy decisions and national realizations that must ensue in the next ten years. In the Author’s Note of the book he writes,

“I am addressing my greatest concern, which is that the power of the United States in the world will undermine the republic. I am not someone who shuns power. I understand that without power there can be no republic. But the question I raise is how the United States should behave in the world while exercising its power, and preserve the republic at the same time.”

Friedman currently presides as CEO of his company STRATFOR, which is a respected, global intelligence company founded in 1996, here in Austin. It follows a subscription- based model where they publish daily intelligence briefings to their subscribers. Their client list is confidential, but the company has garnered public respect, and includes subscribers from Fortune 500 companies and international government agencies.

Get your ticket now to join us on September 8th, for an insightful discussion about America’s Role as an Empire Republic as George Friedman shares his ideas on how we can better understand the global and political challenges we may face in the next ten years.

Inspector Lewis and DS Hathaway are back for more Oxford University-based whodunits on a Masterpiece Mystery! Marathon Sunday from 3:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Michael Feinstein’s American Songbook: A New Step Every Day explores the fast and furious 1920s and 1930s, when jazz was hot and illegal booze flowed freely in underground speakeasies, 9 p.m. Monday.

What can the notes in a 1775 Almanac tell us about how the revolution may have strained family ties? Did NASA unwittingly transport Andy Warhol’s art to the moon? Find out on History Detectives 7 p.m. Tuesday.

POV: Better This World follows the story of Bradley Crowder and David McKay, who were accused of intending to firebomb the 2008 Republican National Convention, 9 p.m. Tuesday.

In the early 1990s, Saddam Hussein destroyed the richest wildlife habitat in the Middle East, reducing it to mile after mile of scorched earth. Nature: Braving Iraq at 7 p.m. Wednesday shines a light on the man who is making an extraordinary effort to restore both animals and people to this turbulent place.

On the tenth anniversary of 9-11, NOVA at 8 p.m. Wednesday follows the five-year construction of One World Trade Center (1 WTC) and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. NOVA captures the behind-the-scenes struggle of architects and engineers.

Marty Robbins: Seems Like Yesterday takes public television audiences back to a time of familiar music and nostalgic memories, featuring full performances of Robbins’ most memorable and recognizable hits 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Roy Orbison’s appearance on Austin City Limits in 1982 was a big milestone for the show, attracting a much larger audience and much more national buzz. Watch a digitally remastered telecast of Roy Orbison’s performance 10 p.m. Wednesday and 9 p.m. Friday.